Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR.

Stuck With Good Friends

Laura understood now that it tore him apart for Arwen to want to leave him and his people and remain on Middle Earth with Aragorn. But it would be the same for any father. "Lord Elrond, her life is no longer in your hands. Put her happiness before you, not her safety."

He looked angered by this comment. "There is no happiness here," he said slowly.

She phrased her next sentence carefully. She didn't want to make him mad, and she didn't want to hurt him. She didn't want to bring back painful memories, but she had to say something to him about the situation that had gone on between her mother and Luke. This was absolutely no time for it, but she wasn't sure if both of them would survive to be able to have this conversation again. "Lord Elrond...father...she has made a decision. So has Lord Aragorn, so have I, so has Frodo. This war is going to affect us all. And we are all responsible for how much it is going to affect us. Father, just let her live. Or die. But just...just let her be," she pleaded.

Lord Elrond's face seemed to soften at this. She'd sparked something in him. He put his hand tenderly on her shoulder, looking down at her. "You speak as if you were my very own child," he said, obviously longing to make it the truth.

"I will always be your daughter. At least I know you enough to have a moment of warmth when I remember your face."

He kissed her on the forehead. "Indeed, child. You as well."

They lingered there on the mountainside for a moment, then walked together until just outside King Theoden's tent. She said a quick goodbye, not wanting to make things any more emotional, and went to find Legolas. She felt that they would be leaving soon, judging from the strong power that had been emanating from whatever Elrond was carrying.

She sat down hard by a yellow tent. She watched some of the men, including Eomer. What would happen in the end? If she died in this world, would she be transported back home?

Breaking her thoughts, Aragorn passed glumly leading Hasufel. She got up. "And just where do you think you're going?" she said, putting herself between him and whatever path he was taking.

He shook his head. "Not this time, Laura. You are not coming with me."

Legolas came to her rescue, appearing with the other two horses. "Have you learned nothing about the stubbornness of this girl?" he asked, smiling at Laura as he said it.

"Yeah. Face it, you're stuck with us."

Laura looked down the passage. It was a dark, creepy looking trench in the mountain. "Paths of the Dead, eh? Let me get my camcorder," she said as she mounted Epona. Some of the men were watching them, and began asking where Lord Aragorn was headed. He did not reply, and the three rode single file, being swallowed up by the dust and shadows of the pass as Laura waved to the soldiers.

She gasped. "What about Merry?" she asked, leaning forward.

"He will be fine. The King will not allow him to fight among such circumstances," Legolas explained as he rode in front of her.

"Such circumstances? What's that supposed to mean?" she inferred.

"Master Meriadoc is too small for a battle, just like Master Peregrin. Just like a certain young woman..." Legolas tried to explain.

"Don't get smart," she warned him. "I've got to get a copy of the ERA up in this joint," she muttered. She looked around. She didn't even see the path they were taking. It was dark, foggy, and cold. She shivered. Something about this little detour they were taking didn't feel quite right.

"Uhm, Legolas? Would you care to debrief me on this Paths of the Dead stuff?" she asked meekly.

He looked over at her. "Are you sure, my lady? I don't want to frighten you into staying behind."

"If I didn't know any better, I would think you were starting to get a little attitude with me, Elf boy. We're not going to have a problem, are we?"

He smiled. "I hope not."

"You know I could swear you're human sometimes, the way you talk. Debrief me!"

"As you wish. In the days of old-"

"Ah, the days of old. Good times," she interrupted.

"May I continue?"

"Sorry!" she quickly apologized. She was losing all seriousness, since she could feel the tension stirring between the rocks. Aragorn was ahead of them, and he hadn't spoken a single word yet.

"In the days of old, Gondor had a King. But the men who had sworn to protect Gondor fled to these mountains when the time came for defense. Being murderers and traitors, Isildur cursed these men to dwell underneath the mountain until their oath had been served. Not even Sauron himself can take control of this army."

"Ah, an army of ghosts. That is wicked cool, Leggy. So we're going in, eh?"

"That has yet to be decided," he said as they dismounted their horses. Laura didn't even realize they had arrived yet. She looked at the entrance. It had human skulls on both sides, and was carved out of rock.

Legolas read the inscription. "The way is shut. It was sealed by those who are dead, and they keep it. The way is shut." As he finished his sentence, a blast of wind began blowing out of the cave that was supposedly shut.

All three of the horses reared up and ran. "Epona!" she called. But they were gone. She looked back at them.

Aragorn didn't say a word, but walked right in. He didn't even look back to make sure Laura and Legolas hadn't run away.

"Does he seriously have that much blind faith in us? If he thinks he's so tough, maybe he doesn't need sidekicks," Laura said with her hands on her hips.

"I do not fear death. I am going to follow him," Legolas told her.

"Yeah, me too," she said as they stepped inside. Once in, she looked around. They were in a big empty place, with a wide path beyond them. It wasn't that dark, but in a couple of steps she couldn't see anything. Seeing Legolas' blond hair, she reached out and grabbed his cloak. He whirled around to face her, startled.